I have received a number of interesting responses to last week’s newsletter regarding end of life issues and the Terri Schiavo situation now playing out across the state from me. 

One of the responses came from a Florida attorney who said that the Florida Bar is swamped with calls from attorneys with questions about their own living wills.

And some emails including the following:

Thank you very much for your tips about making a last will on your previous issues. Yup, I learned a lot of lesson from that when my sister went to a comatose. She didn’t have a will. One of my will is that if I will be on a comatose, I would not submit to a tube anymore. I don't want to be a burden to my love ones. 

I work in the nursing profession and see these types of events happen all the time. I actually picked up the form at work for my own personal use. We all get busy and forget how important this issue is.

From what I understand, this was also a big conversation around Easter supper tables this past weekend.  It is good that families are discussing this topic, but I want to make sure that we do not waste the opportunity for open and frank dialogue. The first thing I would not do is rush to my elder relatives in order to get them to fill out advanced directive paperwork as if this is all about them.  This is not an issue specific to eldercare and there would be no better way to stop all dialogue than to stand over your senior loved ones with living wills in hand. Actually, as Mrs. Schiavo's situation proves, this is an important issue for all adults. 

My suggestion would be to first fill out your own advanced directives and your list, then sit with all of your adult loved ones and after sharing your own decisions with them, have them fill out the documents regarding their wishes.     

Mrs. Terri avo’s last wishes may be disputed forever, but for the sake of your loved ones, make sure that your wishes are clear concise and well documented.

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com